"(Y/n)..? (N/n) hellooo?" I heard a sweet voice calling lightly while to hands lightly tried to shake me awake. Giving a groan I turned over and tried to pull my bedsheet over my head, only to then realise it wasn't there and freeze up. Where was I again, ah yes, I remember. "(N/n) time to walk up..!" The voice called louder while giving me a last shake, my eyes groggily opening to see a certain sweet little green eyed girl.
"Holy force Ari not so loud...my ears are ringing..." I groaned while reaching up to rub my hands over my face, feeling so much better after having a shower last night.
"Sorry." The young teen replied with a guilty chuckle as she stepped back from me a little. A jolt of realisation then hit me and I looked up, glancing round the empty halls outside the council room then back to the girl.
"Say Ari, have you seen Skywalker come this way yet this morning..?" I asked while mentally crossing my fingers as I continued to sit there on the floor as a few of the masters passed by to meeting room. Needless to say I got a few looks for being sat there outside the doors with a pillow.
"Uh no- I mean I'd definitely notice if he came this way." The girl replied with a quizzical tilt of her head. I just gave a bright grin and leapt up with a small cheer.
'Ha! Looks like I'm the better Jedi.'
"Brilliant I beat him." I said to by self while picking my pillow up, still grinning like a little kid. Well like Ari really, who seemed to raise a brow as she looked up at me, she was such a curious little thing.
"Beat him in what..? What are you two up to?" She asked while looking over me as I ran a hand through my hair and attempted to neaten out my robes.
"Nothing special Az'...just a little better," I hummed back while brushing some dust from my shoulder before looking back down at the little girl. "Say, what are you doing here so early anyway?" I decided to ask, since though it wasn't rare to see the girl up at unplanetry hours I could've sworn she was using in the training hall or causing mischief away from the master. "You're not in trouble again are you?" I added, narrowing my eyes a bit at her in suspicion, it wouldn't be the first time the council called her for a lecturing. Honestly I love this kid...but I sure and Coruscant traffic feel sorry for the poor Jedi that becomes her master.
"What? No, I started racing in the under-city specifically so the council wouldn't find out," She replied quickly with a few hand movement that really didn't make me feel any better about what she was saying. "Nah this is meant to be something good...well that's what master Ti told me yesterday...unless that was a trick to get me to come here for a lecture..." the teen trailed off while looking to the side as apparently the idea just dawned on her that perhaps the council knew she wouldn't come for a lecture.
"Ari Shimara, the council is ready for you." Master Plo announced from the door, a young tortuga girl stood just behind him with a nervous expression.
"Well here I go-if you see me running out in a second don't stop me casue I really don't think I can sit through another lecture." She said to me while backing away towards the door, waving her hand and giving me a signature grin before follow the master and other youngling into the council room. I chuckled slightly at her comment, that kid has the attention spam of Anakin. Speaking of whom, he should be arriving any second
"(Y/n)?"
'Now'
I turned round not even trying to contain my smugness from my victory, propping my pillow under my arm as I looked over at his stunned expression. Watching words fail him I could t help but chuckle slightly as he walked over to I front of me.
"Snooze you loose Skywalker, well, depends we're you snooze." I teased while looking up at him and taking my pillow in both hands, chucking it over at him. He caught it and then looked down, giving it a squish, his nose scrunching up slightly as I'm guessing he cursed himself for not coming up with such a genius idea.
"No fair. You slept here." He pouted while looking over me and tossing the pillow back into my hands.
"Never said we couldn't camp out, loop holes Anakin loop holes." I said while leaning up o to my toes and lightly hitting him on the head with the fluffy pillow. He just chuckled and lightly shook his head, bribing his hand up to hold the pillow back.
"Okay...maybe you're the better Jedi," He said in a softer tone while looking down at mean with those dazzling blue eyes. His expression seemed so soft when he looked into my eyes, it made my heart melt away inside how he could be so gentle with me. "Want to hear something exciting?" He went on to ask while easing a brow at me with a small smirk and pulling the pillow back down from above his head.
"Sure my inferior friend." I jokingly teased as we walked over to take a seat outside the council rooms. Anakin gave a light laugh and shook his head while sitting down by my side as I just grinned over at him.
"Well, I heard yesterday from Master Yoda that he wants you to serve with me and the 501st, Yoda seems to want me to show you the ropes, then they're planning on taking a section of the 501st along with some new recruits to form your own unit-but that's a long way off right now," I listened intently, genuinely very relieved to know Anakin would be there at my side. "Important thing is we're going to being working together for a little while, isn't that great?" He said while looking over at me with a small spark of joy lighting up in his ice-lake eyes.
"That's amazing news...honestly I'm so relieved, I'd hate to go out into this whole mess alone after missing the beginning...all I know is a few things Dooku spoke about but other than that I'm clueless a out this war." I replied sincerely with an antioxidant smile. It really did make me feel better to know I wouldn't be immediately torn from Anakin again, I'd missed him so much I couldn't bare the thought of having this war pull him away from me yet again.
"Well then guess I'll have to teach you, but don't worry you'll be fine, Captain Rex and the rest of the 501st are great, plus," He scooted a little closer and a laced his hand on mine giving it a light squeeze. "I'll be right there at your side." He added on in a final point while giving my a half smile in comfort, which didn't go unappreciated.
"In that case what could possibly go wrong? Between my brilliant plans and your reckless skills will have those separatists on the run in no time at all." I joked back, giving him a light nudge with my elbow which seemed to earn a chuckle. Anakin sat and ran his left hand back through his hair before glancing back over at me and raising a brow.
"Brilliant plans?" He questioned back in a teasing fashion while giving me a small smirk, to which a swiftly pulled the pillow from beside me and shook it in front of him to make my point.
"Well I didn't see you camped out here this morning now did i?" Mockingly I replied while reaching one finger out and poking at his chest, and my gods was it hard. Glancing down I poked my finger a little harder against him with some form of astonishment. "My gods do you have stone for a chest?" I mumbled while continuing to poke at him like a curious little child.
"Why'd you sound so surprised, you e lain against it a good few nights," he chuckled quietly while leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on my cheek before leaning so his lips were practically brushing my ear. "...I've missed that by the the way, holding your beautiful body in my arms at night..." he whispered into my ear, a small tickle rubbing across my skin as his breath brushed my earlobe and stray hairs.
"I've missed that to...unfortunately I highly doubt we'll be able to continue sharing a bed now we're back at the temple...someone would be sure to notice." Quietly I sighed back in response while resting my head against his shoulder.
"Then I guess we'll have to make good use of these little moments." Anakin whispered back into my ear in a low tone before moving his lips to my neck. However as he did I heard the council room doors begin to open and internally panicked at the idea of any of the masters spotting the positions we were In. So in my panic I grabbed my pillow and hit Anakin over the head with it a couple of times while using the force to push him back off the bench in the same trajectory as the hits from the padded cushion. I cringed a little as there was a dull thud and he landed on the ground below me just as the door were fully opening.
'Sorry'
I quickly uttered through the force while standing up and holding the pillow close to make it look more convincing.
"Next time don't be a sore looser Skywalker." I called out down to him with a bright grin, chucking the pillow up and spinning it before catching it back in my hand again as though it my lightsaber. I could feel the two masters that had stepped out giving us confused looked while I bent down and offered Anakin a hand. His gloved hand clasped round mine causing a smirk to cross his lips and confusion to spread on my own face, that is until he pulled my down to the floor on top of him.
"You should know by now (y/n), I never loose." He said with a cocky grin while looking up at me as I just rolled my eyes and we both started laughing. The playful moment hover was broken by the sound of one of the master clearing their throat, presumably to gain our attention. Both me and Anakin looked round and gave various apologetic gestures while getting up and brushing ourselves down. It was only when I was stood awaiting further instruction I realised I still had the pillow, so not knowing what to do I quickly threw it over my shoulder and just hoped it would be there on the bench when I got out.
"The council is ready for you now, please, follow in." One of the masters I was unfamiliar with said while gesturing for us to follow them inside. The both of us nodded respectfully though are auras were more like that of excitable children as we followed in behind the master. I found myself constantly tugging and fiddling with my robes as we approached the doors while Anakin seemed so casual and calm, in fact the most I saw him do to neaten up was run a hand back through his hair. Entering the council room butterflies filled my stomach as I saw how the lights had been dimmed right down and blind drawn, making it near impossible to visually see. Lucky for my nerves I was back in contact with the force. Me and Anakin approached further in as the master just seemed to disappear, the both of us stopping in what we felt was the centre. As we did so the room flourished with green and blue as lightsabers all around where ignited by their masters one by one. Sure enough towards the end came the magenta of my own master followed by the purple of hers before her and then the green of our wildly respected grandmaster. Without needing to be told me and Anakin both knelt down and bowed our heads to Master Yoda as he stepped down towards us.
"Trained well under the force you both have, passed many tests along your paths and grown in your understanding as strength. Young (y/n), Young Skywalker, fine young knights you are to become," master Yoda spoke wisely while stepping down directly in front of us in the dark room and raising his saber. "By the power of the force and this council, grant you the rank of Jedi knight I do." He went on to say while hovering his saber from Anakins right shoulder to his left and then repeating the action over my own before swiftly and precisely severing our padawan braids at the route. I couldn't stop a grin from spreading across my lips as I carefully picked up the braid, the lights rising around us as I stared down at the beaded piece of braided hair. I barely even noticed as the master around us began to switch off their sabers and place them away once more, I was in a state of utter joy as I realised just what this meant.
"Someone's happy." I heard Anakin chuckle beside me before feeling a light nudge from his elbow to my side. Looking round I saw how he seemed to echo my grin and their was a distinctly bright shine to his beautiful blue eyes.
"And you're not?" I joked back with a light laugh before becoming aware master Yoda Windu and Obi-Wan were stood before us.
"Deserve this you both did, great trials the force has given you, faced them well you both have." The little green grandmaster said while placing both hands on his cane.
"Indeed, though you are still young it's my firm belief that you can become a fine pair of Jedi knights within the order." Mace Windu added with a curt nod, face stoney as ever as he folded his arms across his chest.
"Congratulations to the both of you, Anakin I'm so very proud of you," Master Kenobi spike up as the other two stepped away, his words seeing to make Anakin feel slightly shy. Being honest I was a little disappointed my master didn't seem to have stuck around to co granulate me...but really what should I have expected. After sharing a private word with Anakin Obi Wan stepped back again. "I look forward to fighting along side you both in the future, now go enjoy the rest of the day you deserve it." He said with a smile before turning and walking away towards some of the other masters. As I looked round I noticed my master stood by the exit looking over at me, tilting my head a little as she gave me a small nod and motioned for me to come over.
"(Y/n) I-
"I'm really sorry one moment Anakin." I said apologetically before moving across the room to the quiet spot my master was stood. The stoic woman cracked a smile as I came to stop before her.
"So...how's it feel to be knighted at eighteen?" She asked with that same small smirk, like we were back as friends sat in the gardens joking about Jedi tricks. Well, she really used to do more of the subtle joking...I'd just get shy and embarrassed...
"Not going to lie it feels amazing." I laughed nervously. She just like me of times, she jokes and I get all shy and embarrassed about getting praise.
"Yeah well, you deserve it...you've come so far since that shy little girl I first showed round the temple ten years ago," She said while reaching a hand out and patting my shoulder, which I knew was out of kindness since she'd said on many occasions how she hated physical contact. "...I'm proud of you (y/n)." Honestly I was stunned as those few words left her lips quietly.
"...Thank you master, but you taught me to use my strength to my advantage in order to grow." I replied while giving her a soft smile as she pulled her arms back and folded them across her chest in a manner similar to her master before her.
"Hm, well that is true," she hummed while looking slightly down to me then off to the side for a moment before back again. "Now, I apologise if this ruins the mood however I needed to tell you that I've had my order from the council, I'm to be leading a special operations task force behind enemies lines, as such I'll. e out of contact for the foreseeable future." Kaida explained with a straight face, seeming completely unfazed by the dangerous task that awaited her. But that was my master.
"I understand master, good luck out there." I replied with a nod to show my words were genuine.
"Luck will play no part in our victory, we will win because we are superior, you just remember that when you join the grand army, those separatists are nothing but brain dead droids and cowards, we will prevail." Her words were as strong as her resolve as she looked me dead in the eyes as if to ensure I understood what she was saying. What she said ran through my mind and I couldn't deny it inspired a flash of courage to spark up in my soul. I had indeed been stressing about this war, ana even now while in bed rest I was worried about being sent out into battle. Despite knowing Anakin would be there, I was still afraid. Jedi are jeepers of the peace not warriors, this isn't what we where trained to do. But apparently it is what we must in order to protect the legacy of our republic.
"I understand master, now, may the force be with you."I finish by saying with a respectful bow, not knowing when I'll see her again this time but understanding it will likely be a long while. The woman gave a nod of understanding towards me while pushing lightly off from the wall.
"Same to you, you're a fine young Jedi (y/n), you'll make an inspirational general." She said while patting my shoulder as she turned and left the council room. As I was watching her leave a felt a familiar presence walk up behind me.
"What was that about?" Anakin asked from beside me while leaning a arm against my shoulder.
"She's heading out in a mission and just wanted to say a few things before she left with her squad." I replied with a smile as I stepped round to face him.
"So...she said something nice?" He hummed with a chuckle to which I lightly punched his arm.
"Very funny, but she actually said she was proud of me." I replied while looking up at him with a small sweet smile, still feeling all warm after hearing the words from my bow former master.
"She said that? Wow and here I thought she was to stuck up," He went on to joke confidently with another small chuckle. In response I gave him a warning glare, after all we'd been over how it was best for him to refrain from talking about my master. "I'm kidding...I'm glad you got a chance to speak with her, and, she should be proud, you're an amazing young woman." He went on to say, softly smiling as his beautiful blue eyes met mine with nothing but warmth and kindness. Blushing slightly I looked down to the side but continued to glance up through my lashes towards him as a shy smile grew across my lips.
"...no where near as amazing as you sand-man." I joked back in a quiet lighthearted fashion while playfully poking his chest, frowning a little at the heavy leather that covered his upper body. As I stared at his chest I could practically feel the young man begin to smirk down at me.
"Hey, what do you say we get out of here and head back to my room?" He whispered while leaning down towards my ear, the feeling of his breath against my neck causing goosebumps to run down my spine. Taking a shaky breath I remembered where we were and immediately close my feelings off from the force so none of the nearby masters would suspect a thing.
"...Anakin, you know that's against the temple rules." I tried logically reasoning with him in a whisper, though it came out as more of a tease as I felt his hand brush my waist. Gods it was hard not to just lean up and kiss him in that moment, after weeks apart I honestly craved the comfort of his hold.
"...I can think of another rule we'd be breaking if you agree." The tease whispered in a husky tone, lips brushing my ear for a moment before pulling back again much to my dismay.
"My rooms closer." I quickly replied under my breath before taking his wrist in a firm grip and exiting the council room. I was practically dragging him down the halls on the route back to my quarters, heart pounding as I weaved left and right. Then quite suddenly as we were passing through the halls of a thousand fountains I felt a sharp tug at my wrist and suddenly found my body pinned against a patch of wall. With only the sound of rushing water in the air that's pace matched that of my heart and not a soul around to see us I looked up into the soft yet predatory gaze of my love. His crystal blue eyes flicked from my eyes to my lips and back again while his hands remained on my forearm and shoulder. A sense of understanding seemed to pass between us and barely a second later the now Jedi knight smashed his perfect lips against my own. Barely an hour into knighthood and we're already braking our path, that has to be some kind of record. Our lips moved against each other in perfect sync while his hands traveled down my sides to grip my waist and line snaked back behind his neck. Strength failing my legs I began to sink down while still remaining melted into the intoxicating kiss, Anakins grasp guiding me down into the stone edge of one of the many fountains.
"...you're so beautiful." He whispered while panting slightly after we'd both pulled back for air.
"...I know," I joked with a light laugh while rubbing my hand back through my now braid and bead less hair. Anakin laughed softly to, the gentle wound making my heart flutter and melt as I watched his gorgeous face smile. "I love you..." I whispered without even realising, watching as his ice lake blue eyes flicked back round to meet mine.
"I love you to..." he whispered back while leaning forward and pressing his forehead lightly against mine so our noses brushed together, then slowly leaning in and begging to softly kiss me once more. My eyes closed as I melted into his warm touched and gentle loved my lips against his. It was as I was falling into utter bliss I felt a presence approaching. I tried to pull away but Anakin just seemed to move to follow after me. Breathing out a small sigh through my nose I realised trying to push him off was futile and internally prepared for what I had to do.
As I heard the first step enter the room I planted my hands on Anakins shoulders and tipped us both over the edge into the fountain. There was a splash then distorted silence as we sunk down below the surface.
I just hope whoever it was didn't hear us.